Drove the new Passat TDI as soon as it came out.
I still contend it's one of the best bargains for a family sedan, as you can get a TDI & 6MT (OR DSG!).
Rare to find a 6mt in a sedan that size nowadays, and 50mpg.
For about 30K you can get a pretty loaded TDI Passat that will seat anyone with comfort in the back seat, it's huge.
It won all kinds of awards when reviewed and generally beat out all it's competitors including the Camry/Accord ect.